Marathon Training - 16 Miles

I was apprehensive going into this morning's run. I had been bumming all week about the Rock 'n' Roll Providence Half Marathon results and had no idea how today's 16-mile run was going to go ... ESPECIALLY since it would be my farthest run since completing a marathon (with a lot of walking) in 2006. We had a nice low-key evening in last night. Now that we have a couch we can just veg out again - it's been so long. :) I wanted to get out and hit the Charles River running path early so I had to set a motivating alarm setting:

Yup! Those definitely worked...

I leaped out of bed by 5:30 and got all of my stuff ready. It was going to be a training run in more ways than one. I was planning on testing out some new running accessories and trying some current accessories in different locations.

1) Sunglasses

2) New Snuggbud earbuds

3) My water belt ... without leaking

4) My new moving comfort shorts

5) Nuun hydration post-run

I got to my usual parking space near the Charles and was ready to get started by 6:20. My goal was to finish the 16 miles under 2 hours and 30 minutes and by 9am.

The only thing I REALLY wanted to do this morning was survive the 16 miles. ;)

I set out at a pretty slow pace (9:30ish min/mile pace) and knew I wanted to be closer to 9 min/mile. I didn't have any specific goals, but I wanted to work on getting in a rhythm and rocking one pace throughout the run ... which is what most people do in the marathon.

The weather was perfect and the path was close to empty - both in my favor.

I did notice that around Mile 4 that my legs seemed to wake up an come alive!

I was cruising right along and before I knew it I was over halfway through the run. Sweet - it's all downhill from there, right?

Well, once I got to Mile 10 my legs started to feel a little heavy (not sure if it was from the swim the day before or they were just tired), but I pushed through. I just kept telling myself you did 13.1 last week, you got this.

Plus, I always run on a loop so no matter what I need to finish to get back to my car. Good planning, right? :)

At Mile 12, I was getting a pain in my left foot - it was like the nail on my toe was getting squished. So I stopped to investigate and everything looked fine so I soldiered on.

By Mile 14, my head was getting the best of me - knowing that I was so close to the finish. It took a lot of self-coaching to make it through the final 2 miles.

Since I run the Charles all the time, I knew I had to change my route for the final 2 miles to avoid seeing my car prior to Mile 16 and just stopping. ;)

Once I saw Mile 15 on my Runkeeper, I tried to pull it into a new gear and finish strong. It was really reassuring to know I still had some gas in the tank after completing 16 miles.

I caught the Runkeeper distance note totally on accident!

I was wicked happy with the results today!!! All of my running accessories worked like they were supposed to. I was FINALLY able to run comfortably in a pair of shorts - YAY!

And if I ran the full marathon at a 9:04 clip, I would finish in 3:57:37 - I'd take that in a heartbeat.

I was so excited I even asked a stranger to take my pic ;)

Yet again I proved to myself that I am stronger than I think I am ... and I am DAMN proud!!

Just Keep Swimming...

This morning I did my first swim workout in far toooo llooonngg!! Okay one main reason for that was the lack of a bathing suit made for lap swimming in my size. Yes I had one that I have had for years that was WAYY too big, but I just never could get around to buying one that fit. (See: my fear of buying bathing suits in general! :P)

So finally yesterday I decided that since I had a 16 mile run on Saturday, I wanted to get a low impact workout in on Friday and what better way than in the pool. So I asked the wife to borrow one of hers. She is a good 2 inches shorter than me, but I thought it would be able to stretch enough to make it work. I set that aside and proceeded to dig out my goggles and swim cap.

Ohh it felt good to even take those out of the bottom draw!

After my final Weight Watchers meeting of the week, I hit the Boston Sports Club pool near my house - since they always have at least 3 lap lanes available at all times - and was ready to get back to the pool.

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Growing up I always loved swimming. My mom always said I was a natural born fish. I was on a swim team constantly until I hit High School. In junior high, I even coached my own little swim team at the local Boys & Girls Club - Dani's Divers - and had a blast.

But then it just went to the wayside as other sports took the forefront of my time. I tried to get back into swimming after college whenever possible as a way to get back in to shape .

Thankfully our gym in Chicago had a pool, but it seemed every time I tried to hit up the pool it was jam packed.

So I was psyched when we got the Boston to find that this pool always had a couple lanes open and since my schedule is more flexible now I could pay attention to when it is dead.

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So this morning I put the suit back on and I can tell you it felt awesome! I was excited since my ActiveLink (Weight Watchers activity monitor) is actually waterproof so I could wear it in the pool as well! :)

I went into the pool without a clear cut plan and just made one up as I went along. I couldn't remember how much a mile was in "lap" speak so I focused on getting into the rhythm instead.

I felt AWESOME throughout the swim. I loved how I didn't have to worry about my back or my knees or my ankles. I could just let go and swim.

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Since there isn't much thought needed in swimming laps or outside noise to bother you, it is a GREAT time to just think. And as I swam I thought about how it relates my life and my weight loss journey.

No matter how long it had been since I was last in the pool or the last time I even thought about lap swimming ... as soon as I started the freestyle it came right back to me. The breathing. The strokes. The kicks. It was second nature.

My weight loss journey has been the same way ... especially this summer.

As many know I used to work many days straight without a day off when I worked in baseball, which led to a much more regimented schedule - which overall lent itself very well to weight loss and Weight Watchers during the tricky summer months.

Well, this summer is completely different, I feel like a New Member trying to navigate the world of Happy Hours, weekends away, BBQs, etc.

But, I am learning that even if I take a couple of weeks of what I call a "relaxed adherence to the plan" (thanks fellow WW Leaders for that phrase), I know that I can get right back into the swing of it when I need to.

I just need to jump right back in and start swimming...

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So in the words of Dori when it is time to bear down and get back to basics:

Rock 'n' Roll Providence Half Marathon - 8/19/12 - 1:52:58 (8:37 min/mile)

I had to wait a few days to write this post. For some reason after this race in particular, I was really beating myself up over the outcome. Why? I am still not totally sure why because I did an amazing job, but something was eating at me. But I decided this morning when I woke up that it was time to move on and stop beating myself up over nothing.

So here goes...

Originally I hadn't planned on running this race in 2012, but with some gently prodding from friends and an entry discount due to the Leap Day in February - I signed up.

Then as time wore on more and more of my social media friends signed up as well. Woo! I love meeting Twitter/Facebook friends in person. :)

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The wife and I headed down to Providence late Saturday morning. Thankfully even with traffic the ride was under an hour, but of course it was raining. Yup, two weekend races in a row and we had to travel in the rain. Thanks New England. :P

We arrived in Providence and headed straight to the downtown area to grab lunch and hit up the Expo. I knew the others would be there around 1:30 and I didn't want to miss them.

We hit up Trinity Brewhouse for a beer and lunch. I had a DELICIOUS pulled pork sandwich and tested their Rhode Island IPA - yummy!

After lunch, we walked the long 0.2 mile trek to the Expo. ;)

 

I was really looking forward to hitting the Expo and actually stopping at the booths that I missed in Chicago, but unfortunately this Expo was MUCH smaller than Chicago and the booths I wanted to hit didn't attend. Boo!

Oh well, I was still excited to pick up the usual awesome schwag bad that Rock 'n' Roll usually has and to move up in corrals (because of my time in Chicago I was able to move from Corral 6 to 3).

Once we entered the Expo itself we actually walked right into Samantha, Janine and Amy ... right place at the right time! :)

This was my third Rock 'n' Roll Half, but the first time I actually took part in the photo booth. How could I not with this awesome crew? ;)

Don't you wish you were as cool as us? :)

I hit up the Snuggbuds booth to exchange the pair I had bought at the Chicago expo for a better fitting pair ... Thanks Chris and Jane for your AWESOME customer service. (Side note: the new pair is perfect!!!)

After the Expo, the wife and I ventured out to find our Hotel and explore the area near the hotel before dinner. We even found the Start and Finish Lines while wandering near the mall.

Sam did a great job picking a dinner spot since it was RIGHT next to our hotel. Sweet!

We met back up with Janine and her mom and Sam and her boyfriend for a delish dinner...

...before calling it an early night! After I did the normal routine of laying out my stuff, I enjoyed a few episodes of My Boys on the iPad before getting some sleep.

You would think the sleep would've been boring, but nope! We got woken up at 1:48am by someone possibly getting mugged outside of our room, which was along a nice alley. It sounded as if the person ran off so I think they were overall okay.

The alarm went off too soon at 5am. I got changed and headed down to the courtyard to meet the crew to walk to the Start Line.

Once we got to the Start area it was go time ...

... we were able to connect with both Colleen and Robin. Even though these two awesome ladies are usually in Corral 1, they were both dropping back to Corral 3 to help pace us slow people. :) Thanks ladies.

Sam, Colleen & I

Colleen was going to help me try to get another PR since the weather was perfect for it. But for some reason, my body was against it. :( My mind kept wanting my legs to move faster (especially once we hit Mile 12), but for some reason they just wouldn't do it.

The hills were more frequent and bigger than I expected. I just kept thinking where are these hills coming from Providence. Where?

Colleen did a great job pushing me through the run even though I was getting discouraged with myself. I had run so well in Chicago - with even warmer temps - but couldn't get my legs to move any faster.

I just kept pushing forward as best I could.

The first four miles seemed to be ENTIRELY made up of hills with Mile Four being legit straight up. Wow! I mean I go to Spinning to help with my hills, but I kept thinking "Spinning couldn't prep me for THESE bad boys."

Once we hit Mile 5 the road stayed flat for a couple miles that was refreshing and much needed.

Thanks Janine for snapping this awesome action shot!

The hill that hit around Mile 8-9 seemed like nothing compared to the hills at the beginning, but I still found myself slowing down.

My brain kept telling my legs to move faster, but they wouldn't - wicked frustrating.

I had never been so happy to see a Mile 13 marker. I was done. But the hills weren't, the city of Providence decided to have the last .1 miles of the course also be a hill ... how fitting right?

Well, that one I pushed since I knew I would be close to my time in Chicago ...

... but I failed. I crossed at 1:52:58 (8:37 min/mile pace). I was 1:16 short of a PR. I was pissed.

Now, when I first signed up for this race, I thought of it as just a training run for the Marathon (as long as I had hit the PR I wanted in Chicago, which I did), but I got myself wrapped up in the idea of the PR so I was pissed that I let myself down.

But everyone tried to remind me how far I'd come. I mean really I had to be proud since the Half I ran in January 2012 was a 2:05 time. Either way I cut over 10 minutes off my time. Not too shabby.

After yelling at myself in my head and out loud, I grabbed my medal and post-race snacks before stepping in for a pic...

Big thanks to Tori and Colleen for trying to cheer me up/calm me down after the Finish.

Tori even presented me with this cool Rock 'n' Roll charm bracelet with a Chicago, 13.1 and a Providence charm on it.

I can't wait to add 26.2 and Savannah to the bracelet come November!!

While I got my medal engraved,

Colleen got ahold of Robin so we could meet up with her before having to head home.

The three of us have combined to lose over 270 lbs through Weight Watchers!

Overall, it was a great 24 hours in Providence! I love meeting my Twitter/Facebook/Blogging friends in person and collecting new race medals. ;) But, I would've loved to have seen a different outcome with my race time.

I was actually so mad with how I finished the run that the next day I ran another 3.1 miles at the pace I had wanted the day before. Yeah, I need a life... :P

It's The Weekend...

I am WICKED excited for this weekend!!! After having a fantastic time at The Falmouth Road Race on the Cape last weekend, I am following it up this weekend with the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Providence, RI.

Woo hoo!!

Now when I orginally set out with my plan for 2012, this race was not on my list.

Buutt....

then Runcupcake (aka Samantha) and The Fit Bee (aka Colleen) got to me! :P

Yes, I succumbed to peer pressure and signed up. Okay okay, there was a Leap Year/Day sale going on and I couldn't resist.

And as the weeks and months dragged on - more social media friends started signing up and now it is gonna be a Fitfluential party up in here!

So I really cannot wait to see these lovely ladies tomorrow for dinner and to meet many face-to-face for the first time ever!!

Then on Sunday we dominate ... we run the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon!

I am wicked excited to try and keep up with my fast friends - Colleen and Robin - both elite elite runners! I am ready to be pushed.

This weekend will be awesome! And this race will be number 18 of the 24 I have signed up for in 2012.

Bring it!

One Month Til...

... the big 3-0!! I don't have dire panic over turning 30. I mean it really doesn't change anything in my life - except that I end up in a new division in my road races ;) - but other than that it is just another birthday.

And for those that don't know I am NOT a big fan of celebrating my birthday ... except in 2010 when Tori proposed the night before it.

So maybe it's just entering a new decade that is giving me reservations about my birthday or society's common response  of freaking about getting older that has me questioning the day.

But when I sit and really think about why this birthday is so different from the others - one things come to mind:

HEALTH!

I am in the best shape I have ever been in and getting more comfortable in my own skin.

I am ready to enter this new chapter in my life - fit, healthy and happy.

If you had asked me when I turned 21, what I thought would be going on in my life at the age of 30 - I would NEVER have imagined I would be where I am today. It wouldn't have seemed like a realm of possibility.

But now, I am entering this next phase with a wife, two pups, a fulfilling job, wonderful friends, supportive family and a more positive outlook on life.

Wow! How could I have any reservations about what awesomeness my 30s will bring?

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I am wicked excited for what I have planned on my birthday weekend.

On the Saturday (September 15), the wife and I are taking part in the Warrior Dash in New Hampshire. My first and her third. I am sooo excited to finally cross this off my Fitfluential Fitness Bucket List. :)

Then on Sunday (September 16), I am hosting my very own 5k in my neighborhood. I am psyched. I really wanted to celebrate in a fun, unique and fitness based way. I thought what better way than to get my friends and family out running/walking before enjoying a good BBQ. :)

Since everyone doesn't live in the Boston area, I also created a virtual runner option. That means you would set up your own 3.1 mile course near you place of residence and send me the results.

I decided to add a charity element to the day as well. I am vying for a charity bib for the 2013 Boston Marathon and the fundraising goals for non-qualified runners (which I am) can be lofty. So the $15 registration fee for in person and virtual runners goes straight to my fundraising fund.

Additionally, every person that registers (in person or virtual) will receive a Finisher's Medal! OOhhh race bling! ;)

If you want more information about the birthday 5k, it's sponsors or to register please click here.

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So come on world, bring on the 30s ... I'm not scared of 'em!

Falmouth Road Race - 8/12/12 - 58:10 (8:19 min/mile)

There were and still are so many emotions wrapped around this one race that it took me a few days to process them all ... also we finally moved into our new apartment on Monday so I have been busy settling in. The Falmouth Road Race is an internationally known event. Runners come from ALL over the world to participate. It is crazy to think the race started 40 years ago with just 92 people participating in the first race. 92! Because this year, 2012, the 40th anniversary there were over 12,800 people registered to run. Now THAT is a successful race.

The race is so popular there is a lottery in place to get a bib to race. Well, unless you are one of the 5 guys that have done all 40 Falmouth Road Races or one of those world-famous Olympic types coming to win! :) If you aren't chosen in the lottery, you can still get a bib by participating with a charity team.

Either way, it is an EXTREME honor to experience a Falmouth Road Race

I have spectated many a Falmouth Road Race. My dad and uncles were all big runners in the 90s and early 2000s so I was in attendance at a fair number of Falmouth Races, but never participated. Why would I have? We all know I didn't pick up the running bug until 2005. Before that, running was as gross to be as brussels sprouts. ;)

But this year it was different.

Now that I am back in the Boston area and addicted to running ;) I was ready to take the plunge and enter the lottery for a number to Falmouth.

Call it beginner's luck or destiny or whatever you want ... but I was picked! Woo! Let the tradition continue...

So this past Saturday, the wife and I headed down to the Cape - her first time ever being there - and was quickly met with a downpour. Why thank you mother nature! You shouldn't have!!

We breezed through packet pick-up and the expo - where I did pick up a nice bib holder!! :)

Thankfully it lightened up enough so that we could walk around Woods Hole, Falmouth and Yarmouth before calling it an early night. Originally the plan was to stay with a friend of mine, but that fell through so instead we had to rent a last minute hotel room ... for $335 for one night ... 45 minutes away from the race. Yyyyaaaaaaa - no!

But we made the most of it. I mean the room had a king bed that had me well rested for the race the next morning ... didn't help that it was the perfect spot for my 2-hour afternoon nap as well. :) One has to take the peace and silence when one can, right?

So Saturday night we grabbed an early dinner near the hotel and planned to get to bed nice and early since the alarm was going off at 5:30am on Sunday for the race ... but DAMN those Olympics. I got sucked into the track and diving and ended up finally going to bed around 11. Thanks to my nap I still woke up refreshed at 5:30am on Sunday.

We left the hotel around 6am to take the 45 minute trek to Falmouth, where the buses would jet me off to the Start Line in Woods Hole.

Well then enter a monsoon of a downpour. The wife and I sat in the car for an hour before there was enough of a break in the rain that I could dart for the port-o-potties and buses without drowning.

I made it to the Start area by 8:15 and got to just hang around in the rain until it was time to line up. With over 12,000 runners there was no cutting it close on getting to the right place at the right time. My corral (Corral 4) was supposed to start at 10:10am, but with the rain, which led to flooding, the start of the race was delayed.

 

We finally got the go ahead to start just as the rain stopped and the sun started to peak through.

Enter Humidity Stage Left.

Kim and I were both in Corral 4 and started the race together. Yay having someone to run with. :)

The Falmouth Road Race strongly advises runners NOT to use headphones or earbuds during the race so as a good rule listener I didn't bring my headphones. I was excited not to use them so I could really enjoy the energy from the crowds.

The wheelchair racers, elite runners and wave 2 were off and it was finally our time to step up to the Start Line - go Wave 3!

I had my usual pre-race jitters, but was just so excited to run THE Falmouth Road Race ... then we were off!!

It was a truly beautiful course. The entire way was lined with people, families, bands, sprinklers and water stations. Besides the ones the race provided, houses along the course set up their own water and fruit stands. It was amazing.

The Cape coastline is just a beautiful thing - even when still overcast at the start of the run.

Kim warned me that the first three miles were all rolling hills ... and she was right. At first I was nervous for the hills, but I have to say my Spin classes have really paid off in the leg strength department. I feel so much stronger now and can more easily attack the hills.

I felt good going into Mile Four. Kim and I cruised through the hills, but then she started feeling a pain in her side. Not good timing. She took Mile Four (which was finally flat) to try to stretch it out, but it started to slow her up.

I ended up continuing the rest of the race by myself. But with the crowds at Falmouth I didn't feel alone at all. Since your name is on your number, people were cheering for me and really keeping my spirits up as the humidity and temperature rose!

The crowds filled the entire length of the course and really made the experience. Where else, but along a race route are little kids excited that I gave them a high-five? Okay, one kid did diss me and pulled away from the high-five I tried to give him, but I tried to bury the sadness at that. ;)

But just after passing the 10k mark, it was time to get to the final hill of the course. The famous hill leading to the Finish Line. As I hit the 10k on the ground, I looked up and there were the world-famous Hoyts. I think any member of the running community knows the Father-Son team of the Hoyts, but if you don't you can learn more here.

They are one SERIOUS inspiration.

As I made the final turn towards the last stretch of the hill, I felt such a sense of pride and accomplishment. I had finally been part of a family tradition of running The Falmouth Road Race. I had taken part in one of the most famous races in the world. I had done so without the use of any music or watch. I didn't pay attention to my pace or time at any point in the run and it felt awesome. I just let my feet hit the pavement and get in a groove. I took in all the sights, sounds and smells. I soaked up the energy and love and am storing it in my brain for whenever I am feeling blue.

I took one look at the crowds and kept going...

(Side note: I am pretty impressed with my ability to take a photo while running)

Then it was time to make the final push up the final hill...

Because once I made it over the hill it was literally all down hill from there ... and in front of me was THE image I always conjure up when thinking of The Falmouth Road Race - the GIANT American Flag before the Finish.

I couldn't wipe the smile off my face at seeing that sight ... and then the race was over!

Well that seven miles seemed to really fly. ;)

I officially finished in 58:10 (8:19 min/mile pace) ... I was 1,812 overall out of 10,612, 535 out of 5,419 females and 375 out of 1,293 in my division.

To say I was excited is an understatement. I still can't believe when these times and positions post that it is really my info. But, boy does it make my smile get even bigger!!

For one of the first times  - if not the first time ever - I remember the Falmouth Road Race having a medal at the end - it was to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the race. YAY RACE BLING!!

You know I love it!

Unfortunately, we didn't have a good post-race handle on things so the wife missed me finishing so after asking for help from some locals I was able to figure out a walking route to locate her and the car. We decided to avoid Cape traffic and leave ASAP.

So after changing in the Dunkin Donuts bathroom, it was time to compression, while riding home. Hello multi-tasking!

Thanks Cape for overall showing me a great time - besides that pesky rain!!

Would I do The Falmouth Road Race again? In a heartbeat. Will I do it next year? Only the lottery gods can tell. ;)

Face it Friday - Frustration OVER

I am human! I know folks it is a shocking revelation, but I am not always the perfect Weight Watchers member and I tend to think that is why you all can relate. We are human. Life happens. Then I realize "I Am Still Learning"!!

So a week ago today I stepped back on the scale for the first time in three weeks. We had been traveling each Friday to either Chicago for the Half Marathon or Maine for relaxation (not that I am complaining at all).

But I got on the scale on August 2 and was up 4 lbs since my last home weigh-in

July 13 - 155.2

August 2 - 159.3

(Note: I NEVER thought I would be upset/mad to see a 159 on a scale! Oh how times change...)

Well that was expected with vacation and taking advantage of stopping at all our favorite spots in Chicago. ;) But it was time to get refocused.

So on August 3, it was back to tracking. I was determined over the next 11 days to track everything (be a #trackstar), get 100oz of water each day, do a plankaday and hit all of my Good Health Guidelines.

At the same time I was starting full on Marathon Training...

so it was time! :)

Thanks to my ActiveLink I am wicked aware of my activity and motivated to top myself each day.

Well by Monday morning I was up to 60-something Activity Points, yet I got on the scale and nada.

Say whhaa?? Usually after a few days back on plan and that much activity, I woulda seen some movement but nope.

So it was time to bring in my reinforcements ... my #wwmafia crew (which is a group of WW Leaders and Receptionists that are the bomb biggity - yup I just used bomb biggity).

I asked for their advice and soaked it all in.

Because I can use all my WW Leader info on myself, but sometimes you need to hear it from someone else to get it to sink in.

So I kept on doing what I was doing:

*Eating 26 DPT a day

*Eating/Drinking all 49 of my Weekly Points

*Not touching my Activity Points

*Drinking at least 100oz of water a day

*Kept up my plank a day streak

I checked in again on Wednesday...

(Note: I am broke my own rule this week by weighing myself more than 2 times a week and I was upset with myself for doing that, but I got swept up in my own crazy!)

... and nada!

I started to look through my tracker and share with my most trusted WW Leaders and Receptionists to get their thoughts.

Common theme: water retention. Yup, indicator to me? Not able to get any of my rings off my fingers.

But I stuck with it!

I could've just given up and said Screw it! I'm having Chinese food but no! I trust WW and know it works.

I tallied up 111 AP this week - thanks ActiveLink for pushing me to light those darn lights up! ;)

So I got on the scale this morning and BAM. It worked.

Home Scale read 156.2.

WOO!

And the official Weight Watchers Lifetime/Employee weigh-in read .... 156.4!

WOO!

In range (153-157) and once again proving that WW works.

Now, for me ... this summer has been a HUGE adjustment. Not only are we in a new place and I am in a new job, I have now had to adjust to attending BBQs and having a social life. ;) Well going from working like 100 hours a week to not, I feel like a new member now (like I've written before). So now adjusting to social life and learning how to handle the delicate time of Lifetime/maintenance.

This whole summer has been a welcomed learning curve. I have learned to really keep my fitness up in the times of Happy Hours, BBQs and vacations.

Thankfully, I have a great support system that will not let me get too far off the deep end. They keep me in check and I would be LOST without them!!

So let's as a group just make it through these last few weeks of summer and move on ... to Birthday Season!

Oh darn... ;)

But moral of the story is: I Am Human ... and I am Still Learning!

Marathon Training - My 1st Track Workout

I was nervous before yesterday's workout. I have NEVER done a real track workout before. But my running coaches (Sarah and Joanna - yes a 1 month old is keeping me in check) had set up a plan for me and I needed to stick with it. What was even better was that there is a track right across the street from Sarah's house so I could have my coaches right in front of me - helping me along the way!

How can I not give it 100% with this lady cheering me on!

So we hit the track and it was go time - Sarah had her stopwatch and everything! ;)

We started off with 2 laps (800m) warmup jog and followed it up with a 100m sprint.

Once we finished that we headed to the shade and did some good stretching.

Then it was GO time.

Thankfully Sarah actually ran on our college track team so I knew to listen to all of her advice. The goal of the 5x800 workout was to stick with a certain pace the whole time. So after chatting with Sarah, the goal was to finish each 800m in about 4 minutes.

And of course I started out too fast. Oops! I finished the first 400 in 1:33 where I was really looking for a 1:52-ish time. So I slowed down the second lap and posted an overall 3:40ish for the first 800, which was pretty decent.

Following the first 800m, I was instructed to walk around the track once (400m) pushing the sweet lil baby Joanna to keep the muscles loose. I love doing what I am told.

PLUS let me tell you that adds some weight and difficulty to the walk ... which I welcomed. :)

As I continued the 800m intervals, I got more in tune with my pace and what a 1:50ish 400m felt like, which really made me feel good. I felt like I was becoming a stronger person and runner.

I was able to average between 3:40-3:50 for the remaining 4 800m loops and it felt awesome ... even with the pounding heat!

After the final 400m walk with Joanna, we did one final cool down 400m jog and hit the shade for some stretching.

The running coach seemed to approve my performance during my first track workout - PHEW! She is a tough coach that I don't want to let down. ;)

I owed her for coming up with a great workout so we had some chill time after ... with food of course!

But overall, I loved the change in my routine. It mixed up my normal long runs and I felt like I got a lot out of the time on the track. NOW I know what all those elite fancy runners are talking about when they go on and on about their track workouts. Granted I have only been through one so far ... but I survived ... I thrived ... and I will go back for more! :)

Marathon Training - 13 Miles

On Wednesday, I sat down with my BFF/trainer/running coach/new mom Sarah and we worked out a true Marathon Training plan for me. I say real because we actually wrote everything down from that day through November 3 - Marathon Day. Wow!

THAT made this whole journey seem really real. Yes I know the whole running and signing up for it made it real, but starting a true training plan makes it feel like it is happening ... as it is. :o)

My calendar for today read 14 miles. I was ready for it. I even had a good alarm set so that my butt would get up and run. ;)

It worked.

I was up and out the door by 6:15. I headed to my usual route around the Charles River. I checked the weather before I started and with humidity it was 90 degrees.

At that point, I made the decision that I would focus on the mileage rather than the time/pace of today's run.

I stretched and hit the pavement.

Oh, I could feel the humidity right off the bat. I knew I would be running a 9-something min/mile pace. Which again I was okay with.

I tried to get into the running groove I know and love, but it wasn't sticking.

Not sure if it was all the heat or what, but I couldn't get into a rhythm.

I had to run in my glasses because of my possible pink eye and that totally threw me off. I gravely DISLIKE running in glasses - yes this was learned about 2 minutes into the run. I alternated between running with the glasses on and with them in my hand. I just felt uncomfortable running without them on since everything just looked blurry. Not the safest thing so early in the AM.

Additionally, the brand new earbuds I bought at the expo for the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon kept falling out. They praise themselves on having the "lock" technique of the earbuds, but for some reason it just hasn't worked for me. They fell out during the Half and each run following that.

(Note: I got so frustrated today I almost threw them in the River then made sure to write a letter to customer service when I got home. Hopefully I can get the issue resolved.)

The first half of the run felt like it was 100% in the sun - as I took the turn around - it was like a new run started ... it was shady and had a breeze. Oh the breeze felt heavenly. ;)

I was feeling the humidity more and more as the run wore on. I unfortunately just wanted it to end. I kept counting down the miles one by one.

As I neared my car (I run a loop around the River), I spotted a sign for free water and just had to stop.

(Note: The Charles River is a 13-mile loop - the portion I did - and there were only 2 water fountains that gave out hot water. Not cool Boston. I tweeted Mayor Menino about it today. Hello 90 degrees in Boston and just 2 water fountains - boo!)

As I neared the 13 mile mark, I struggled in my head as to whether I could push on for the final mile or not.

I HATE not finishing what I started or accomplishing a goal, but I was feeling completely OUT of gas in my tank. So I made the executive decision to stop.

Ugh, I was wicked upset with myself for a few minutes then I had to get a grip. I ran 13 more miles than had I stayed in bed. I could've said Nah I'll do it later when it wasn't so hot. BUT NO ... I went out there and gave it everything I had.

So what did I learn today?

I relearned ;) that I need to listen to my body. I may not always be able to fulfill what the "training schedule" has planned, but I can give it all I have.

And...

Each run is a fresh start. I will get it next time!!

Six months later...

The week is only half over yet it already celebrated two large milestones ... 1) Monday - July 30 - marked our 6 month-aversary of being in Boston

and

2) Wednesday - Today - August 1 - marked my 6 month-aversary of working for Weight Watchers

WOW!

Those are two big milestones for this week.

On one hand, it seems like we have been here for about a year ... but on the other hand, it seems as if we just arrived.

It is crazy to think how much has changed in the last six months, but you never know what will happen unless you take that leap of Faith.

The last six months have had its ups and downs, but overall it has been amazing.

It is wicked fun to share the awesomeness of New England with the wife. Having the time to spend with her is a definite bonus of my new work schedule. It is great to take an afternoon and head up to Maine and walk along the beach ... and it counts as activity! ;)

I know the transition was tough for her - new job, new life, new living situation (having to crash with my parents), but I am indebted to her for making the sacrifice for me ... and my happiness.

I'm also enjoying having the time to participate in a bunch of road races with a great group of friends, who also love running as many different races as I do ... and want to get brunch afterwards! :)

It is great having so much free time to be active, but on the other side it is a great adjustment having a career with so much alone time. Each day is different since I have a varying number of meetings on a given day. I enjoy the freedom to come home in between meetings, but sometimes miss having coworkers to joke around with.

I made some great friends in our little trailer in Chicago. ;)

But thankfully the members make my day. I can't believe how much has changed since I joined WW as an employee six months ago. When I started I receptioned five meetings a week and now I lead 13 WW meetings a week. I love being a part of so many members journeys - celebrating the ups, working through the downs and learning what motivates/pushes them to continue on their journeys.

Every single member inspires me to be a better WW Leader, a better WW member and a better person overall. I can't tell them how much they mean to me.

And seeing the results is jaw dropping ... since taking over my first WW meeting as a Leader in May - my members have lost over 1,200 lbs. HOT DAMN!!

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On the flip side, it is an adjustment for me to have so much down time. I am used to 12-14 hour days with few days off. Now I have at least 2 days off each week. In some regards, I feel like a new WW member - learning how to navigate the summer and balancing social engagements and staying on plan. But it is a challenge I am happily taking on.

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Do I miss Chicago ... the people ... the work? Yes. But am I happy with the decision we made? Yes.

I will be even more excited when we move into our own apartment next week. ;)